PM raises BJP-Left conflict issues in Kerala with Vijayan

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today raised the issue of violence between members of BJP-RSS and Left in Kerala when its Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met him here and said he expected him to intervene and end the political clashes there.

The Kerela chief minister said he told the Prime Minister that he was ready to take any step to ensure that peace prevailed in his state.

Addressing a press conference at Kerala House, Vijayan said the Prime Minister raised the matter during the meeting and expected him to intervene and end political violence in the state.

To this, Vijayan replied that both the parties should restrain their workers from engaging in conflicts. He said he also met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who has sought LDF government's cooperation on implementing the GST.

Vijayan said that he would discuss the issue with his Cabinet colleagues and party leaders.

He expressed the hope that the central government will help the newly-elected Left Democratic Front for development of the state.

On Mullaperiyar dam issue, which has been a bone of contention between Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Vijayan said a solution to the problem could be found only through a democratic process.

"Conflict cannot solve the issue so democratic process need to be followed for a solution," he said, adding, his government will go through reports of various commissions before its next step.

He also met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and called on President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari.